Rep. Boozman Votes to Require Parental Notification for Minors Seeking Abortions Federal Law Would Strengthen Arkansas' Parental Notification Law
Rep. Boozman Votes to Require Parental Notification for Minors Seeking Abortions Federal Law Would Strengthen Arkansas' Parental Notification Law
Washington, Apr 27 -
Rep. John Boozman (R-AR) today voted to require that providers notify a parent before performing an abortion on a minor even if the state does not have a parental notification law. The bill, which Boozman is a cosponsor of, also makes it a federal crime to knowingly transport a minor across state lines to circumvent a state's abortion parental involvement laws.
The Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (CIANA) passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 270-157.
"Governor Huckabee recently signed a strong parental notification bill into law in Arkansas, but many states lack a comparable law and others have watered-down versions. To circumvent laws like the one in Arkansas, abortion providers openly advertise their efforts to encourage pregnant teens to cross state lines where notification is not an issue. This bill will put an end to this practice," said Boozman.
In March of 2005, Governor Mike Huckabee (R-AR) signed into law a bill that requires a parent to be notified at least 48 hours before an abortion is performed on a minor. If the parent does not consent, the procedure cannot take place.
"This bill protects the health and safety of young girls, and also protects the rights of parents to be involved in the medical decisions of their teenage daughters just like the Arkansas law does," said Boozman. "However, with laws varying from state to state, parents are often left in the dark when their underage daughter has an abortion. It is imperative that parents are involved in these decisions as they seriously affect the health of their child."
Across the country, medical personnel must obtain parental consent before performing even routine medical services such as providing aspirin, and before including children in certain activities such as field trips and contact sports. The Supreme Court has described parents' right to control the care of their children as "perhaps the oldest of the fundamental liberty interests recognized by thie Court." (Troxel v. Granville, 2000)
Even though the Supreme Court has upheld the language in CIANA as Constitutional, the bill includes exceptions for cases of abuse or medical emergencies and when a minor receives authorization from a judge in her home state. The bill now goes to the Senate where it must be considered before becoming law.
http://www.boozman.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=8085